The Week In Gigs: Featuring Frankie & The Heartstrings, Miles Kane And More

By Ruth Mitchell on February 7, 2011 in Music

This week’s musical offerings come in the shape of Conquering Animal Sound, Frankie and the Heartstrings, Chapel Club and Miles Kane, so there should be something in the mix there which floats your boat!

Tuesday the 8 February sees Conquering Animal Sound play the Head of Steam to promote the release of their new album Kammerspiel. According to The List, this Glasgow two piece mix beats with flowing sounds to create “spookily charming minimalist incantations”. They will be supported by two acts; Swedish born, but long time Newcastle resident Nathalie Stern, who will be performing her unique blend of shimmery folk, and Edge Harvest, the solo project by Paul Gardner from Our Imaginary Friends. Tickets are £4.

On the 10 February, Miles Kane sets aside The Last Shadow Puppets, his project with Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner, to begin his first solo tour at The Cluny. Kane hasn’t swayed from his indie roots, and the first single from his new album ‘Inhaler’ is three minutes of bouncing guitars alongside his distinctive vocals. He’s also befriended the Gallagher brothers, with Noel appearing on his debut album, and will be supporting Liam’s new group Beady Eye on their forthcoming tour. Check him out yourself for a cool £7.50.

If you feel like a change of musical scene, hop on the train and check out dandy band Frankie and the Heartstrings at Durham Live on the 11th. The band have been described as the ‘Sound of Sunderland’ and one of the best live bands in Britain by the Guardian – and all before they’ve even released their first album ‘Hunger’. The title reflects the bands desire to succeed “It’s a term that invokes all our inspirations, be it musically, literary or physically, for the cause” says lead singer Frankie. Equally, if you like your music dapper, lead singer Frankie was named by GQ magazine as the 39th most stylish man in Britain, and the band have accumulated a dedicated following to their winklepickers and plus fours. The five-piece indie band cites their influences as Dexys Midnight Runners, Bobby Conn and Billy Childish, but their performances are undoubtedly unique. Tickets are £6 and doors open at 7.30 pm. The band is also playing Middlesbrough Empire on the 12 and The Cluny on the 15.

On the 12 February Chapel Club are playing at the Cluny. The five piece band formed in London in 2008 and after a series of self-promoted gigs at a pub in Dalston, an A and R battle for the band soon ensued. Their singles ‘Surfacing’ and ‘All the Eastern Girls’ have both been named as Hottest Records in the World by Radio 1’s Zane Lowe, although ‘Surfacing’ was never actually released. The dark indie rock sounds of their latest album ‘Palace’ are similar to those of Interpol and My Bloody Valentine, although the poetic lyrics which accompany their epic rock guitars have created quite a stir. Several venues on this tour have sold out already, so grab your ticket while you can. Doors open at 8pm, tickets £8.